Multiple impact members with gripping means interdisposed for striking a flexibly suspended object

ABSTRACT

THIS INVENTION RELATES TO A PRACTICE AND TRAINING GAME WHEREIN A FLEXIBLY SUSPENDED OBJECTS IS STRUCK IN RHYTHMIC SUCCESSION BY IMPACT MEMBERS FORMED INTEGRALLY AND ALTERNATELY WITH GRIPPING MEANS. THE TRAINING GAME SERVES TO DEVELOP MANUAL DEXTERITY IN COMBINATION WITH VISUAL MENTAL AND MUSCULAR COORDINATION.

Sept. 20, 1971 w. J. KERSQH 3,606,322 MULTIPLE IMPACT MEMBERS WITH PPING MEANS INTERDISPOSED FOR smmna A mm susrnmmn OBJECT Filed Oct. 29, 1968 I E5 4, INVENTOR WALTER J. KERSCH ,fld; a. M

ATTORNEY United States Patent Oflice 3,606,322 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 3 606 322 MULTIPLE IMPACT MEMBERS WITH GRIPPING MEANS INTERDISPOSED FOR STRIKING A FLEXIBLY SUSPENDED OBJECT Walter J. Kersch, 331 Hampton Ave., Rensselaer, 'N.Y. 12144 Filed Oct. 29, 1968, Set. No. 771,432 Int. Cl. A63b 59/00, 67/10 US. Cl. 27276 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a practice and training game wherein a flexibly suspended object is struck in rhythmic succession by impact members formed integrally and alternately with gripping means. The training game serves to develop manual dexterity in combination with visual, mental and muscular coordination.

This invention relates to games, especially those providing for the development of rapid reaction and coordination of mind and hand. While it may be used as a practice and training device for all ages, it is particularly directed to the training of smaller children and the development of muscular coordination, in hands and arms, with visual and mental processes.

The invention comprises a racquet or paddle type striking device for creating and maintaining rhythmic impact upon a free-swinging object suspended before the player.

iln its simpler form, the striking device comprises an impact member having projections on opposite sides for gripping with two hands, so that both the left hand and the right receive equal exercise and training and develop equ'al muscular control. Other structures are used to develop additional skill and coordination, and these are more clearly disclosed below.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the novel features, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter referred to, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all views, and in which FIG. 1 shows a paddle or racquet comprising a central portion with projecting handles on opposite sides;

'FIG. 2 shows another paddle or racquet structure, having a central gripping shank portion with end portions, or impact members, integral therewith;

In FIG. 3 there is shown a multiple striking device having a series of impact member portions, each separated from the next by a gripping shank member, the entire structure being formed integrally and the impact members being sequentially identified, as, for example, by numbering; and

FIG. 4 shows 'a player holding the structure of FIG. 2 and using the end portions in alternate sequence to strike a ball suspended before him. H

In using this training and practice game, it is recommended that the suspended object be disposed so that at the lowest point of its path of travel it will be approximately at the players chest height. The object must swing in an arc, and the player must hit the ball coming toward the end of the are nearest him. Thus, if he misses the object when attempting to strike it with one of the impact member portions, the object will pass above him.

In order to change the speed of the game, the length of the cord or other means upon which the object is sw pended may be varied; for example, it will be shortened to make the object swing backward and forward more rapidly, and lengthened to provide a slower swing of the object, thus giving the player more time in which to adjust the impact member into position for the next stroke.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and FIG. 1 thereof, the device 10 has projecting shanks 11, 11 on opposite sides of the impact member 12, to provide gripping means for both hands of the player, and a child having naturally greater skill in one hand than in the other is given an opportunity to develop equal skill in both hands. The single impact member 12 requires concentration only upon that one area with relation to the swinging object, preferably a ball, and the childs attention is centered upon the equal and rhythmic forward-backward movement of his arms.

In FIG. 2, the device 10 has a central gripping shank portion 11, with impact member end portions 12, 12 integral therewith. In using this device, the object is to strike the swinging ball first with one impact member and then with the other, and to maintain this alternate impact in rhythmic sequence. Thus, to the forward-backward movement of his arms, the child must add a sidewise movement within controlled distances and at controlled speed. For training purposes, the impact members may be marked, respectively, Left and Right, so that reading may also become a part of the learning process as a small child plays the game.

In another variation, the impact members may be colored; for example, one member may be colored red on one side and yellow'on the other, and the other member may be colored blue on one side and greenon the other. The child learns colors by saying, Red, blue, red, blue, as he uses the device with the one side toward him, and strikes the ball with the member having the color he names, and Yellow, green, yellow, green, as he reverses the device to bring those colors into his view and uses the areas thus colored to strike the swinging ball.

With reading and color recognition added to manual and visual and mental coordination, this invention assumes increasing importance as a vehicle for teaching and training under the guise of playing a game. For more advanced children, the alternate or sequential impact may be accompanied by a verse such as is used when skipping rope. Such verbal accompaniments to the exercise of striking or attempting to strike the ball make the game more enjo'yable, with the acquisition and development of coordination being a side benefit with which the child himself is only secondarily concerned. The game can be scored with the winner among a group of players being the one who reaches the end of the verse, or the highest number in counting, without missing the ball.

This game may also be played by two players, striking the suspended object back and forth after the fashion of ping-pong or tennis, thus enhancing the competitive aspect of the game. I

The more elaborate structure shown in FIG. 3 contemplates striking the ball with the impact members 12, 12, etc. in sequence, as, for example, One, Two, Three, Four, Five, or in selected sequences of One, Three, Five, etc. There can be sufficient variety to make the game interesting, even to an older child or an adult. The arrangement of shank portions permits the older player to hold the device with widespread arms, while the smaller child grasps the centrally'located shank members. For greater comfort of the players, the outermost shank members may be made longer; to accommodate the larger hands of older players.

FIG. 4 illustrates a player using the dual-impactmember, single-grip device of FIG. 2, with the swinging ball 13 suspended on cord 14, in full and phantom lines to indicate the path of travel of the ball and the movement of the players arms and the striking device.

The material used in the structures herein shown is plywood, strong enough to be durable and yet light so as not to tire the hands and arms of the player, it being the motion of the arms, rather than the weight of the striking 2 'Ifheinvention of claim 1, wherein saidgripping device, that provides for muscular develop ment. A ineinber's comprise at least'three and wherein the outer- Wooden ball suspended on a string has been used and is recommended because of the sound created by the impact of the paddle as it strikes the ball. However, other suitable materials ma'y be used which will be equally desirable. Whereas the impact members are shown herein as substantially circular, they may be made in any other desired configuration. I

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure b Letters Patent of the United States is:

11. A training and practice device for developing visual, mental and manual coordination comprising impact members and hand gripping means integrally joined in alternate disposition, said gripping means being at least two in number and said impact members being not less than three in number; and a flexibly suspended object; said impact members being used to strike said object in rhythmic succession.

most gripping members are of greater length than the centrally disposed gripping members.

1 References Cited- UNITED S TATES PATEN TS V 11/|1898' Gatward 273 97 614,542 1,930,281 10/193-3 Ogden 273-67 2,305,187 12/1942 Neiden 2,566,044 8/1951 Trepanien 27397 RICHARD C. PI-NKHAM, Primary Examiner R. DROR, Assistant Examiner Y U.s.c1.X.-R. mama-1,95 

